In-Depth Analysis: Boyz n the Hood - Essay Example

Ricky doesn’t have a strong male figure in life that puts him on the right path like Jason to Tre. Although he tries to do well, he is often influenced by his half-brother Doughboy, who gets in and out of prison for his participation in violent gangs. He manages to stay still and focused due to Tre and Jason’s company and aspires to steel get a scholarship in college through football.

A lot of people may consider this movie a ghetto film. But Singleton can show the realism in the movie that such a story happens in real life. The three young men who struggle in their journey in the streets of South Central are just merely trying to protect themselves from the dangers of the hood. Although their ways may be different from each other, they all have the same goal – survival.

The major turning point in the movie is the death of Ricky. He dies in the movie by a gunshot in one of the clashes between the two contradicting gangs, in which one of the gangs, Doughboy is a participant. As he takes his brother home, his mother realized that Ricky qualifies for the scholarship but is in tears due to her son’s death. The incident has pushed Doughboy to kill the man behind his brother’s death, Ferris.

Singleton depicts an ironic incident in Ricky’s death – passing the qualifications for the much-awaited scholarship but dying before knowing it. As the movie shows, Ricky strives hard to get at least a 700 on his SAT to be able to qualify for the scholarship. Although he is a gifted footballer, his academics is a product of perseverance and his meaningless death sets an irony in the movie. His death is the major turning point in his brother’s life, Doughboy, carries him home and explains to their mother the reason. Their scene at home is the major highlight of their family’s drama which leads Doughboy to killing Ferris, and eventually to his death.

One of the key life development points in the movie is Ricky’s achievement of the scholarship. Although it may not seem to be life-changing for him since he is not able to claim it due to his death, it changes the lives of his family; his mother, and particularly, his brother. Another is Tre’s abandonment of the gang seeking revenge for Ricky’s death. His talk with his father, Jason, has led him to the right path. As is shown in the movie, Jason acts as a mentor to Tre; from their prepping about Tre’s sexuality to responsibilities and so forth. His father seems to be the only father figure present in the movie and acts as an ideal father to all.

Gettho as it is, the movie is as real as it gets. It happens in real life and it will not be too surprising if something too similar to the movie happened in the past. Singleton’s depiction of life in the hood is in its truest sense. Although the movie isn’t too graphic, it doesn’t show the realities of life any less. This movie may be a little too abrasive for the African-American community, but it shows a lot of cultural significance and such a portrayal deserves applause. Singleton excellently showed the lives of some African-American gangsters in the hood and was able to tell the viewers that the movie isn’t just an ordinary one.

A very emotional scene in the movie is when Doughboy carries his brother to their home. His mother first assumes that he killed his brother. He fought with Ricky before his brother was shot. It is an absurd but realistic reaction from a mother to consider the possibility that her son could’ve killed his brother. Doughboy’s reaction amid all his mixed emotions is naturally understandable. The fact that his mother thought that he killed his brother enraged him, resulting in killing the man behind his brother’s death.
Tre’s abandonment of the gang when heading towards their plan of seeking vengeance for Ricky’s death may be debatable. Amid such turmoil, a man like Tre could still think right – removing himself from his destruction. If we bank on his father’s upbringing and never-ending mentoring, it is understandable and even reaffirms the character of Tre as a man of wisdom. Read More